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A New Direction: Jeanie Songe, RN to BSN Online Student

November 17, 2016

Jeanie Songe was working as an administrative assistant to an executive leadership team at a local hospital when she had a revelation that changed the course of her career.

“I didn’t ever think about nursing, but I realized it’s something I do all of the time, caring for others,” Songe said. “I realized it was something that I wanted to pursue. I had a father with [multiple sclerosis]. It was always a matter of taking care of him. I just had a personal desire [to go into nursing].”

A Logical Choice

In 2009, Songe earned an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) and became a registered nurse. She now works as an RN Administrative Coordinator at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center within the Ochsner Health System in Houma, La., where she grew up. In this role, Songe performs a variety of critical tasks including coordinating patients’ bed placement, coordinating staff for all units, advocating for patients, and assisting nursing units.

Earning her BSN was a logical choice for Songe, who wants to advance her career on the administrative side of nursing.

“Most nursing desk jobs require a four-year degree,” Songe said. “Online makes it easier. You don’t have to travel back and forth to school and that type of thing.”

When she was considering where she wanted to earn her RN to BSN online, there were several reasons why she went with UL.

“I chose Lafayette over [another state university], where I obtained my associate [degree], because the requirements were a couple of courses less,” Songe said. “And, financially, it was two thousand dollars cheaper. I also had a friend who had gone through the program.”

Elevating Nursing Knowledge

Songe’s two favorite courses in the program were on opposite ends of the spectrum but both contributed significantly to different areas of her career growth.

“The leadership and management was one of my favorites,” said Songe. “Actually, the organic chemistry class, one of the academic classes, was interesting just because it kind of connected some dots.”

Songe also learned quite a bit about the different elements of leadership within a nursing organization over the course of the program. She said the courses and the program have helped her in her current administrative role.

Some Friendly Advice

Songe said earning her degree online takes up some family time, but it has still been the best path for her to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

“My family is ready for me to be out of school, but of course they support it,” Songe said. “Time management is something you have to have. When you take an online, accelerated course, you have to dedicate yourself to it. It’s exactly what they tell you. You’re reading about an online, accelerated degree, but you need to have time management and set so many hours aside. That’s probably the most important thing for consideration. You just need to have that together.”

Supportive Professors

Songe said another aspect of earning her degree that she enjoyed was the fact online students are treated just like students on campus.

“If something came up in your life, your professors do have consideration,” Songe said. “Life is not a dictated plan, so there are obstacles in everyone’s life. If something were to develop, there would be some consideration you would be given.”

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